Most people are more and more allergic. And this is not surprising. Indeed, in the modern world, the number of allergens is rapidly increasing. Symptoms of the disease can occur throughout the body. But in some cases, it covers only certain sections. Consider what may cause allergies in the legs or arms and how to deal with such a pathology.
Short description
Any allergy arises as a result of the abnormal susceptibility of the immune system to various provocateurs. As a result, the body does not produce immunoglobulin, but antigens. They lead to the appearance of a high concentration of histamine and are a source of inflammatory mediators that cause characteristic symptoms.
Allergy to the arms and legs has a skin nature. It can vary in speed of manifestation. Sometimes the body immediately responds to an allergen (atopic dermatitis, urticaria). Signs of a pathology can appear within a few minutes or a couple of hours after contact with a provocateur.
In other cases, a rather slow development of symptoms (contact dermatitis) is observed. Such an allergy on the legs will make itself felt in a day, and sometimes in a longer period.
Reasons for the appearance
Allergies in the arms and legs can occur under the influence of exogenous (external) factors and endogenous (internal) sources. Let's consider them in more detail.
External causes of allergies are:
- Mechanical impact. This is a certain load on the skin, in the form of friction, compression, prolonged vibration. For example, often allergies to the legs appear as a result of wearing tight shoes or tight trousers. During long walks they cause skin irritation. On the covers there is an extremely unpleasant symptomatology of the pathology.
- Contact with household chemicals, plants and other provocateurs.
- Wearing synthetic clothing that does not provide normal air access to the body.
- Subcooling, low temperatures.
- Insect bites, animal hair.
- Excessive exposure to the skin of sunlight.
Internal causes affect the body through metabolic disturbances, the circulatory system.
Endogenous sources of the disease are:
- Food allergens. They can provoke a rash in any part of the body.
- Certain pathologies. Allergic dermatitis can develop against the background of varicose veins, diabetes. With such pathologies, negative symptoms occur only on the legs.
Most often, the following factors provoke attacks of an allergic reaction:
- lack of therapy for major ailments;
- non-compliance with hygiene rules.
Types of Allergies
Pathology on the skin of the hands and feet can manifest itself with the following characteristic lesions:
- Urticaria. With this pathology, blisters of various sizes arise. Such symptoms are most often provoked by direct contact of this site with an external allergen.
- In a rash. Small red swellings are visible on the covers. They can be of various shapes. In some cases, such a rash merges with each other. This is a fairly common allergy in the legs. Red spots formed by the fusion of a small rash can reach impressive sizes. As a rule, this kind of pathology appears after direct contact with a provocateur. The source of the rash can be the penetration of the allergen into the body with food or through the respiratory system.
- Dermatitis. Inflammatory lesions of a different nature are observed on the skin. Most often, they arise as a result of prolonged exposure and a high allergen content.
- Cold reaction. If the body is highly sensitive to low temperatures, then red spots appear on the skin under the influence of negative factors.
- Allergy to a fungus. Most often, the lesion covers the fingers and feet.
Allergy is a chronic disease. But it aggravates only under the influence of provocateurs.
Characteristic symptoms on the legs
Leg allergies in adults most often occur in the following places:
- on the hips;
- feet
- lower legs.
After direct contact with the causative agent of the disease has occurred, this disease will make itself felt, usually within an hour.
The following symptoms initially indicate the development of an allergic reaction:
- reddened areas appear on the skin;
- integuments become dry;
- the dermis begins to peel off;
- this can all be accompanied by severe itching.
If you ignore the initial symptoms, other signs of the disease will soon appear. Getting rid of them will be much more difficult.
The next stage of development is characterized by such manifestations:
- Stains. They can be point, relief, towering. Regarding color and shade, it's pretty hard to say. Spots can be either bright red or pale pink. It depends on how the body responds to the allergen.
- Acne Often an allergy to the skin of the legs manifests itself in the form of small rashes. Acne is able to fill with purulent contents. Subsequently, crusts form on the site of such manifestations.
- Swelling. Sometimes this is how allergies manifest themselves. Some people believe that swelling arose after a long walk. But this is a characteristic symptom of an allergy. Swelling is manifested as a dense swelling of certain areas. She, as a rule, is completely painless.
- Itching This is one of the characteristic signs of allergies. It causes a painful discomfort in a person. This symptom often manifests itself long before the rash appears. Itching can be chronic or acute. It is able to localize in a specific area or cover almost the entire body.
Symptoms of an allergy in the hands
Signs that manifest the disease on the upper limbs are similar to those described above.
Pathology on the hands, as well as allergy on the legs, is characterized by the following symptoms:
- redness of the cover;
- burning, itching;
- peeling, dryness;
- rashes: papules, vesicles, blisters;
- swelling.
Sometimes such manifestations are accompanied by common symptoms of the disease:
- redness of the eyes, lacrimation;
- chills;
- digestive tract disorders: vomiting, diarrhea;
- pallor of the skin;
- dry cough;
- nasal congestion;
- sore throat;
- pressure reduction;
- temperature rise;
- Dizziness
- swelling of the eyelids, face.
Children's allergies
Kids are also not immune from unpleasant symptoms. Allergies to a child’s feet or hands can result from many causes.
Most often, the sources are:
- A new product that began to be introduced into the diet.
- Clothing made of low-quality fabric.
- The powder used to wash children's clothes.
In children, allergies are expressed as:
- red spots that can merge with each other.
- itching (babies become tearful, irritable, their sleep is disturbed).
Help child
The main thing is not to panic. Calmly assess the situation and do not self-medicate. See your pediatrician. If the child has a fever, the rash spreads over the body, call an ambulance.
While specialists arrive, parents can do the following:
- If you know what caused the negative reaction, then immediately limit contact with the allergen. If the symptoms are provoked by contact (clothing, animal hair, household chemicals), then immediately remove things and wash the crumbs well with baby soap.
- If an allergen enters the body, it is necessary to give the sorbent crumbs. It absorbs part of the allergen, thereby reducing its concentration. The following sorbents are suitable for children: Smecta, Atoxil, White Coal, Polysorb, Enterosgel.
- The child needs a lot of fluid. It is best to give black tea or water.
- Keep the room at a normal temperature (about 22-23 C). This will protect against excessive sweating.
- If an allergy is provoked by a food product, then it is likely that the crumbs will constipate. This is a rather dangerous condition with this pathology. After all, allergens along with toxins begin to be perfectly absorbed into the blood. For constipation, it is recommended to give one of the following drugs: Dufalac, Normase, Normolact.
- An antiallergic agent can be given to the baby only 30 minutes after the sorbent. Effective means are: Zirtek, Erius, Zodak, Fenistil. It is best to wait a bit with these drugs and wait for the consultation of the pediatrician.
Treatment of pathology in adults with hormonal agents
If an allergy on the foot itches and constantly causes discomfort, then ointments with antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effect will bring significant help. Of course, such a medicine should be prescribed by a doctor. Hormonal ointments are prescribed only in case of severe exacerbations.
Great tools are:
- "Triamcinolone."
- Fluticasone.
- "Dexamethasone."
- "Hydrocortisone."
- "Methylprednisolone."
- Advantan.
- "Elokom."
Non-hormonal ointments
Such funds are referred to more gentle therapy.
In the fight against the disease, the following ointments are in demand:
- Antiseptics. Effective drugs are: Dioxidin, Bepanten, furacilin and dermatol ointments.
- Antibiotic drugs. Drugs may be prescribed: Levomekol, Erythromycin.
- Antihistamines. The benefits will bring: “Ichthyol ointment”, “Fenistil-gel”, “Tsindol”, zinc ointment, “Elidel”.
- Healing drugs. They provide excellent tissue regeneration and have a healing effect on such agents: methyluracil and solcoseryl ointment. Benefits will bring drugs: Actovegin, Bepanten.
- Emollient medicines. The therapy may include medications: “Videstim”, “Keratolan”.
Preparations for internal use
It is best that the doctor prescribe medication. The doctor is able to adequately assess at what stage the allergy proceeds.
A rash on the legs, red spots, itching are external manifestations that are effectively eliminated with the help of local preparations. Provided that contact with the provocateur is excluded. But if such symptoms do not go away, then the doctor will recommend medications for internal use.
The therapy may include drugs:
- "Suprastin", "Diazolin", "Tavegil", "Diphenhydramine", "Fenistil".
- “Loratadine”, “Claridol”, “Zirtek”.
- “Zodak”, “Astemizol”, “Treksil”, “Akrivastin”.
These medicines have some contraindications. Therefore, it is undesirable to take them without consulting a doctor.